August 22 / 14.45 Newton Abbot

14.45

Good

Happy Birthday Jo Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £5624.26
  • 3m 1f 170y
  • Class 5
  • 14 runners
SKY
View Course
Happy Birthday Jo Handicap Chase

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

50/1 (Won)

  • Win: £91.30
  • Place: £23.30

Form: 12PP-4

Last run: 25 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Well handicapped on old chasing form but he's 0-6 in points this year and struggled in a 2m4f hurdle race in Jersey on recent stable debut; sports refitted cheekpieces/tongue-tie here; others have much less to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

8

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

2m 6f 7y

Class 5

20:50 Stratford

Great DAnge

10st 10lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Alexander Gibbons

Has four wins over fences but yet to score in this sphere; has shown nothing in his three runs for current yard.

50/1

3

29th Sep 2025

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 5

15:41 Newton Abbot

Great DAnge

11st 4lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Alexander Gibbons

Won over fences here (3m2f, good) for Barry Brennan last summer and has posted a couple of good efforts in that sphere this season; reverts to hurdling off lower mark for new stable here; could have a say.

5/1

2

15th Sep 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

16:00 Worcester

Great DAnge

11st 11lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Alexander Gibbons

Won over fences for Barry Brennan last summer and has posted a couple of good efforts in that sphere this season; reverts to hurdling off lower mark for new stable here; could have a say.

12/1

7/1

  • Place: £2.50

Form: 333-43

Last run: 48 days

W: 10st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Just 1-10 over fences but seems versatile regarding ground and posted a sound effort when third (albeit well held) behind a huge improver over C&D (good) last month; contender if first-time blinkers have any sort of positive effect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

14th Oct 2024

Good

2m 4f 194y

Class 5

14:00 Hereford

William Ewart

10st 13lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Christian Williams

Just 1-10 over fences but ran well in defeat in first-time blinkers at Newton Abbot (3m2f, good) in August and was placed (over hurdles) on both previous visits to Hereford; no surprise if he features.

8/1

2nd

9

22nd Aug 2024

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

14:45 Newton Abbot

William Ewart

10st 10lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Christian Williams

prominent, good jump and led 4th, joined 10th, headed 4 out, not fluent 3 out, kept on but no chance with winner from 2 out

7/1

3rd

5

5th Jul 2024

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

16:35 Newton Abbot

William Ewart

10st 13lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Christian Williams

1-8 over fences and mostly running well but he can throw in the odd modest effort and wasn't at his best behind Doctor Foley at Fontwell in May last time out; could well leave that effort behind back today and he needs considering.

7/1

14/1

  • Place: £5.70

Form: P2625-

Last run: 236 days

W: 11st 12lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Multiple hurdle/chase winner; very inconsistent in recent years and not yet proven over this far but returns from eight-month break on a workable mark and has possibilities if fully tuned up; usual tongue-tie missing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

5

18th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 3y

Class 5

15:50 Taunton

Dindin

10st 13lb

J: Gearoid Harney

T: David Pipe

midfield

20/1

9th

5

18th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 3y

Class 5

15:50 Taunton

Dindin

10st 13lb

J: Gearoid Harney

T: David Pipe

High-mileage veteran who looked out of sorts on his final two appearances in 2024; too well handicapped to rule out but younger rivals appeal more; blinkers refitted.

20/1

7

5th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 2f 162y

Class 5

15:10 Wincanton

Dindin

11st 4lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: David Pipe

On a losing run and in difficulties in three of his last four starts, including behind School For Scandal over C&D in October and at Fakenham 16 days ago; has been wearing headgear but just a tongue-tie today; work cut out.

16/1

Form: 4P-P21

Last run: 72 days

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Back in good form this spring, most notably when keeping on well to score at Southwell (3m, good); subsequent 5lb rise probably demands a career-best performance but he's only a 6yo and enters calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

24th May 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 210y

Class 5

15:10 Fontwell

Prince Cleni

11st 2lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Christian Williams

Looked set to finish second before last-fence unseat at Hereford (3m1f, good) in March and bumped into revitalised subsequent winner when second at Fakenham (3m5f, good) last month; went close in 2024 edition of this race on only previous visit to Fontwell; good chance.

3/1

2nd

3

13th Apr 2026

Good

3m 5f 24y

Class 5

16:10 Fakenham

Prince Cleni

10st 9lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Soundly beaten in February, after a layoff, but looked set to finish second before last-fence mishap at Hereford (3m1f, good) last month, and this move back up in trip will probably suit (placed over 3m3f last summer).

3/1

8

18th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 44y

Class 5

17:00 Hereford

Prince Cleni

10st 11lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

All three chase wins have come over 3m at Southwell (good/soft) and latest was off 2lb higher last January; well held at Southwell last month but he may have needed that run after six months off and he's a player if he can get back near best.

8/1

50/1

Form: 7/55-P

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 12lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Out of form during light campaign last season and was pulled up last month, after a layoff (albeit having run well to a point); cheekpieces fitted for first time since 2021; not the most obvious answer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

10th Apr 2025

Good

3m 1f 44y

Class 5

16:53 Hereford

Hey Bud

10st 2lb

J: James Best

T: Ella Pickard

12yo whose sole win (27 races) came over hurdles in 2019 and he's been well held over fences for over two years now.

16/1

6th

5

10th Apr 2025

Good

3m 1f 44y

Class 5

16:53 Hereford

Hey Bud

10st 2lb

J: James Best

T: Ella Pickard

12yo whose sole win (27 races) came over hurdles in 2019 and he's been well held over fences for over two years now.

16/1

5th

7

6th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 30y

Class 5

14:20 Wincanton

Hey Bud

10st 12lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Ella Pickard

towards rear but in touch with leaders, bad mistake 4th

25/1

Form: PP5-F4

Last run: 71 days

W: 10st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
0-7 under rules but held narrow lead before last-fence fall at Fontwell (3m2f, good) in May and ran well over hurdles there the following month; may still have potential; one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

7th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 48y

Class 5

16:10 Exeter

Hellstopatthetop

10st 2lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Richenda Ford

0-4 in points and 0-14 under rules (0-9 chasing); out of form late last year and out of the handicap this afternoon.

50/1

6

16th Oct 2025

Good

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

14:05 Ffos Las

Hellstopatthetop

10st 4lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Richenda Ford

0-6 over fences when trained by Keiran Burke and absent since modest third in first-time blinkers (now removed) at Fontwell (3m2f, good to soft) last September; 7lb lower for this stable debut but others look safer.

12/1

3rd

4

24th Sep 2024

Good

3m 1f 210y

Class 5

13:55 Fontwell

Hellstopatthetop

10st 12lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Keiran Burke

didn't always jump with fluency, led, awkward jump 4th, joined 6th, went clear again 8th, headed 13th, soon niggled along

8/1

Form: 34-346

Last run: 58 days

W: 10st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Signed off for Alastair Ralph with a disappointing C&D run in June but made the frame in seven consecutive chases beforehand (2m4f-3m1f) and starts off for David Dennis on a good mark; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

4th Nov 2024

Good

2m 3f 164y

Class 5

13:28 Plumpton

Ballinoulart

10st 2lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: David Dennis

in touch with leaders, not fluent 10th, soon lost ground

4/1

7

4th Nov 2024

Good

2m 3f 164y

Class 5

13:28 Plumpton

Ballinoulart

10st 2lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: David Dennis

in touch with leaders, not fluent 10th, soon lost ground

4/1

33/1

Form: PP-667

Last run: 36 days

W: 10st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Ten-race maiden who has struggled to make an impact off lowly marks in handicap chases this year; swaps cheekpieces for first-time blinkers today; 5lb out of the weights; significant improvement required.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

13

22nd Aug 2024

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

14:45 Newton Abbot

Kooky

10st 2lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Jane Williams

took keen hold, held up in rear, hit 12th, no impression before 4 out

33/1

7th

12

17th Jul 2024

Good

3m 2f 13y

Class 5

15:40 Uttoxeter

Kooky

10st 6lb

J: David Noonan

T: Jane Williams

Pulled up on a couple of occasions earlier this year (hurdle and a chase) and only slightly better over fences at Worcester (2m7f) the last twice; easing mark, but no obvious reason why he can make it 10th-time lucky.

20/1

6th

14

26th Jun 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

14:53 Worcester

Kooky

10st 8lb

J: David Noonan

T: Jane Williams

Well beaten in three handicap hurdles during the winter (1m7f-2m5f) and also in two handicap chases this spring (2m5f/2m7f), latterly with today's headgear combination added; big leap of faith needed to support him.

25/1

Form: 45P-40 D

Last run: 45 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Ran quite well when fourth over C&D (good) in June (first start since rejoining Jane Williams) but was well beaten at Worcester last month and is patently not the force of old; headgear switched; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

3

22nd Aug 2024

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

14:45 Newton Abbot

Favori De Sivola

12st 0lb

J: David Noonan

T: Jane Williams

took keen hold, midfield, dropped to rear after 5 out, no impression from 4 out

16/1

10th

13

8th Jul 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

14:35 Worcester

Favori De Sivola

11st 6lb

J: David Noonan

T: Jane Williams

held up in rear, not fluent 10th, no impression before 4 out

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: P4-45P

Last run: 48 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
0-5 over hurdles but made encouraging handicap debut when upped to 3m two runs ago and had excuse when pulled up last time (lost action); looks an interesting candidate for chasing, having won an Irish point in January.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

20th Jul 2025

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

15:32 Newton Abbot

Backinaction

11st 7lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Irish point winner; a bumpy road in Britain but he went close over C&D in June and came well clear at Stratford (2m6f, good to firm) last weekend; probably not straightforward and he has hung away from the whip but likely has an easier task under a penalty than when reassessed.

5/4

4

13th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

2m 6f 125y

Class 5

15:17 Stratford

Backinaction

11st 3lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Very hit and miss and ran moderately last time at Newton Abbot (3m2f), but did finish runner-up there the time before so there's a big run in him.

13/2

4

4th Jul 2025

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

16:53 Newton Abbot

Backinaction

11st 8lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Low-mileage 7yo; made inauspicious start to chasing career last summer but returned from layoff with creditable second over C&D (good) last month and has scope to build on that performance; must be considered.

3/1

Form: 7P-P65 C

Last run: 32 days

W: 10st 10lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Badly out of form over hurdles this year and no better than a respectable fifth on chasing debut here (2m5f, good to soft) last month; swaps blinkers for first-time cheekpieces and tries a new trip today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

19th Nov 2024

Good

2m 5f 44y

Class 5

13:55 Fakenham

Caitlins Court

10st 6lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Jimmy Frost

jumped right on occasions, took keen hold, in touch with leaders, mistake 1st, headway and went second after 9th, disputed lead 11th, led clearly when hit 4 out, headed last, soon no extra

11/1

2nd

5

19th Nov 2024

Good

2m 5f 44y

Class 5

13:55 Fakenham

Caitlins Court

10st 6lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Jimmy Frost

jumped right on occasions, took keen hold, in touch with leaders, mistake 1st, headway and went second after 9th, disputed lead 11th, led clearly when hit 4 out, headed last, soon no extra

11/1

Form: P-0450

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Well beaten in maiden hurdle last month and now 0-14 but battled on well for fourth in handicap chase at Uttoxeter (3m, good) in June and has each-way claims if judged on that; swaps usual visor for first-time blinkers.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

22nd Aug 2024

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

14:45 Newton Abbot

Dirk Gently

10st 8lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

prominent, not fluent 13th, soon lost position, pulled up before 15th

20/1

11th

3

18th Jul 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

20:25 Worcester

Dirk Gently

11st 4lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

13-race maiden who was a fair fourth over fences at Uttoxeter (3m, good) last month but improvement is needed to get off the mark in this.

20/1

5th

10

26th Jun 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

14:53 Worcester

Dirk Gently

11st 1lb

J: Nick Slatter

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

A maiden after 12 starts but came second in 2m4f chase here last summer (good) and also ran well when upped to 3m at Uttoxeter (good) three weeks ago; makes more appeal than some of these.

11/2

Form: PP-U42

Last run: 32 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Ran better than finishing position suggests when weakening fourth over C&D (good) last month, and kept on well for second (no threat to winner) here (2m5f, good to soft) a fortnight later; still unexposed over fences and can improve if he jumps better than last time; 1lb wrong.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

5th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 110y

Class 5

17:22 Ffos Las

Radharc Na Slaine

10st 5lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: David Rees

1-14 as a chaser; won at Stratford in September (2m6f, good) and fair efforts since then; can go well if fitness isn't an issue on first run since October.

10/1

5

30th Oct 2025

Good To Firm

2m 7f 91y

Class 5

13:38 Newcastle

Radharc Na Slaine

11st 2lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: David Rees

Experienced chaser; off the mark on 12th attempt at Stratford in September (2m6f, good); fair run at Worcester last time; should go well.

7/1

5

30th Oct 2025

Good To Firm

2m 7f 91y

Class 5

13:38 Newcastle

Radharc Na Slaine

11st 2lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: David Rees

Experienced chaser; off the mark on 12th attempt at Stratford in September (2m6f, good); fair run at Worcester last time; should go well.

7/1

Form: /98P-2

Last run: 58 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Showed no worthwhile form over hurdles but won a small-field point in May and was creditable second (albeit beaten 23l) to a huge improver over C&D (good) on stable/chase debut in June; effectively 5lb higher from out of the weights today but, with Sean Bowen booked, could have a say.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

14:05 Taunton

Emberscombe

10st 2lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: Joe Tickle

Dual point winner who is 0-13 under rules; 80-1 when pulled up in latest handicap; 7lb out of the weights.

100/1

11

25th Jun 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

14:33 Worcester

Emberscombe

10st 4lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Joe Tickle

Best caught at this time of year, having won points on Exmoor in late May 2024 (good) and again 24 days ago (good to firm); reproduction of the form of her Cheltenham hunter chase run won't suffice, however.

10/1

5th

4

2nd May 2025

Good

3m 1f 56y

Class 4

18:55 Cheltenham

Emberscombe

11st 8lb

J: Mr James Shaw

T: Miss D Kenealy

prominent, awkward jump 13th, weakened before 2 out

33/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £638.00
Straight Forecast £496.29
Tricast £11058.14
Trifecta £1245.30

Selections

WEST COUNTRY:

He'llstopatthetop

RP RATINGS:

William Ewart

Daily Mirror:

Prince Cleni

SPOTLIGHT:

Radharc Na Slaine

Telegraph:

Caitlin's Court

The Star:

Prince Cleni

Daily Record:

Prince Cleni

The Times:

He'llstopatthetop

The Guardian:

He'llstopatthetop

D Express:

He'llstopatthetop

POSTDATA:

William Ewart

Daily Mail:

William Ewart

The Sun:

William Ewart